THE USE OF BONFIRES AND INCINERATORS ARE BANNED BETWEEN 1st APRIL AND 31st OCTOBER - BRISTOL CITY COUNCIL RULING.

Bonfires, what’s the problem?Bonfires are often viewed as an easy and simple way to dispose of gardening waste but bonfires can cause considerable nuisance to local residents and fellow plot holders.The following can occur if a bonfire is burning locally:•Asthmatics can have breathing difficulties•People cannot open windows on warm days•People avoid using their garden•Visibility of drivers on nearby roads may be affected•The smoke can make washing smell•Fire can spread, risking life.

The AlternativesThere are a number of alternative ways to dispose of allotment waste rather than lighting a bonfire.Composting is by far the best way to deal with garden waste. After a few months, the garden waste will be converted into an excellent soil conditioner and peat substitute. If you have no compost bin, dig a 2 ft deep trench for the material and cover with earth to the top. That's what gardeners did before the advent of plastics. They would work their way across the plot to help improve the fertility.Garden Waste can also be disposed of through the Council’s Green Waste collection service – Contact the Bristol City Council - Customer Services Centre for information.

What if I still want to light a bonfire? You can only do this between 1st November and 31st MarchUse dry material only•Avoid burning at weekends and Bank Holidays as these are the times when people are morelikely to be affected outdoors. •Do not burn tyres, cables, plastics, rubber, painted products or any household waste. •Do not leave a burning fire unattended and do not allow it to smoulder overnight. •Extinguish it completely before leaving your plot. •Warn neighbouring plot holders that you are intending to run a fire and make sure that no washing is hanging out in the vicinity. (i.e. on the other side of our boundary fences). •Winds are capricious so be alert to sudden changes and extinguish the fire if necessary. •Don’t light a bonfire if the wind is gusty and anything above calm airs. •Thick wood, infected [diseased] material and convolvulus or 'mares tail' roots should be kept under cover and allowed to thoroughly dry out before burning. Turn it over from •time to time and ensure plenty of ventilation.